YORK City conceded a stoppage-time equaliser to deny Gary Mills a victory during his first home game back in charge at Bootham Crescent, Matty Fry’s 70th-minute header – the first goal opponents Chester had conceded in more than 12 hours of football – was cancelled out when sub Kane Richards pounced at the death.

Former City favourite Jon McCarthy, now Chester manager, deserved a share of the spoils, though, having seen his side hit the frame of the goal twice and been denied several times by in-form keeper Kyle Letheren.

An uneventful first half started with Ryan Lloyd lifting an excellent 12-yard chance over following Elliott Durrell’s positive burst down the left.

Jack Higgins, meanwhile, headed over at the far post from a left-wing free kick delivered by City full-debutant Callum Rzonca.

A rising 25-yard half-volley by Craig Mahon was also well held by Letheren, while Durrell saw a diagonal effort deflected wide after cutting in from the left flank.

After a low Daniel Nti cross, Rzonca then saw a first attempt blocked before a second proved too tame to trouble keeper Liam Roberts.

At the other end, Jordan Chapell’s long-range drive hit the roof of the David Longhurst Stand and, after Simon Heslop charged down a Theo Vassell clearance with the ball ricocheting wide, Durrell also missed the target from a free kick and James Alabi hoofed too high from 15 yards following sloppy play by Fry.

On the stroke of half-time, Mahon went on to deliver a dangerous cross from the right that Durrell couldn’t steer towards goal.

Chester began to get on top after the break with Durrell dragging a 25-yard opportunity wide and Chapell calling Letheren into action with a diagonal shot.

Durrell also fired inches over from the edge of the box before Alabi bore down on the City goal in the 68th minute after powering his way past Higgins.

But Letheren came to the Minstermen’s rescue, stretching out his left leg to keep out the Chester striker’s sidefooted effort.

The hosts forged in front from the next attack when Rzonca forced a corner down the right.

It was duly delivered by sub Danny Galbraith and the unmarked Fry, five yards from goal, sent a downward header over the line despite away attempts to clear.

Chester made a spirited response, though, with Durrell’s deflected free kick striking Letheren’s left-hand upright and the City keeper then making a brilliant reflex save to deny Lloyd.

Letheren went on to charge out of his goal to smother at a clear-through Alabi’s feet, while Richards wastefully hit an upright from six yards after being picked out all alone at the far post by Durrell’s low cross from the right.

As City clung on, a sliding Fry survived an almighty 87th-minute penalty scare after appearing to trip Lloyd.

But, in the first minute of stoppage time, McCarthy’s men got their just desserts when Richards leapt high to head Lloyd’s left-wing cross into the roof of the net. Nti’s header went on to force Roberts into a save from Galbraith’s free kick, which proved the last action of the match.